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Only 33% of businesses will upgrade to Windows 8, according to survey
Not liking Windows 8? You aren’t the only one. And it seems individual consumers aren’t the only ones unhappy with Windows 8. According to the Wall Street Journal, a survey by Forrester Research shows that only 33% of businesses plan on upgrading to Windows 8, either soon or in [...]
Read More »It is official: Microsoft Surface tablets start at $499, Windows RT version will be available Oct 26
After much speculation, the cat is out of the bag. Microsoft has officially announced the pricing on one of the Surface tablets… and it isn’t very pretty.
According to Microsoft, the WiFi-only Windows RT Surface tablet with 32GB will start at $499. If you want the “smart cover”, an awesome [...]
Read More »[Windows] Best free desktop search program
![[Windows] Best free desktop search program](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/10/2012-10-15_221127-290x160.png)
Since Windows 7, Windows has been shipping with a fairly good built-in desktop search feature. However, for one reason or another, many people don’t like Windows Search. So some turn to third-party desktop search programs. dotTech has taken a look at the wide selection of free desktop search programs available [...]
Read More »Many manufacturers are “overwhelmingly negative” about Windows 8, according to an analyst
There is enough Windows 8 hate to go around. Apparently Asian manufacturers are in the same boat. Topeka Capital analyst Brian White recently traveled Asia meeting with various Asian manufacturers, at different nodes in the supply chain. White felt “the sentiment around Windows 8 was overwhelmingly negative” and most manufacturers [...]
Read More »[Windows] Enhance Windows Firewall and do away with intrusive pop-ups with TinyWall
While Windows Firewall for Vista and Windows 7 is a competent software that provides good protection to your PC, computer users are always looking at ways with which they can improve how their systems are protected. There are number of free alternatives for Windows Firewall, but instead of installing a [...]
[Windows] Remove duplicate files from your computer with AllDup
The chances of your computer having duplicate files, be it due to installation of programs or creating documents, is high once you have used the computer for some time. It is often difficult to identify what is a duplicate file and what isn’t. This is where a program like AllDup[...]
[Windows] Best free password manager program — LastPass vs Dashlane vs KeePass vs Roboform
![[Windows] Best free password manager program — LastPass vs Dashlane vs KeePass vs Roboform](http://cdn.dottech.org/media/2012/10/2012-10-13_232644-290x160.png)
Experts always recommend using different passwords for different logins. Any normal person cannot possibly follow that advice and memorize all their usernames and passwords. That is where password managers come in. Password managers securely store your usernames and passwords so you don’t have to remember them — you just need [...]
Read More »[Windows] Protect yourself from keyloggers with the new freeware version of Zemana AntiLogger
Due to their frequent giveaways last year, most of us probably have heard of — if not used — Zemana AntiLogger, a security solution that costs $29.95 per year. However, I’m sure most dotTechies have not yet heard of Zemana AntiLogger Free, the freeware version of Zemana AntiLogger.[...]
What
Read More »[Windows] Add tabs to Microsoft Office with Office Tab
If there is one major complaint against Microsoft Office, it is the lack of tabs, especially among the later versions of the office suite. With all of the major browsers, including Microsoft’s own Internet Explorer, implementing the tabs, it is disappointing to see that Microsoft did not choose to include [...]
[Windows] Maymeal TimeTask allows you to schedule actions (e.g. launch Firefox at 5 PM) to automatically occur on your computer
No one likes time because time takes away our time… if you know what I mean by that. Okay, that probably makes little to no sense, so just ignore it. Maymeal TimeTask is the application in the hot seat today, an app that could potentially change the way you use [...]
[Windows] Download online streaming videos (from YouTube, Dailymotion, etc.) using SPEEDbit Video Downloader
With hundreds of thousands of videos being uploaded on video sharing websites such as YouTube and Dailymotion, there is a big need for a program that make sit easy for users to download videos from such websites. While there are many websites that provide downloadable link for any videos that [...]
Read More »[Windows] Use FileBot to automatically rename your video files in sequential order, such as TV show episodes
Storing huge amount of TV shows, songs, or movies on your computer can pose some unique organizing problems. This is also true for those who like to download and store videos from YouTube and other popular video sites. Having a software that is a major help in organizing the files [...]
[Windows] Manage your files with CubicExplorer, another Windows Explorer replacement file manager
With higher capacity hard disk drives becoming a norm, the increasing number of files on a system is slowly making Windows Explorer annoying to use due to only basic functionality. Thankfully, there are a number of file managers available that are far better than Windows Explorer. CubicExplorer is one of [...]
Malware is being spread with “lol is this your new profile pic” message on Skype — be careful what you click
Skype users be warned: if you get a message on Skype that says “lol is this your new profile pic” with an accompanying http://goo.gl/XXX?img=XXX URL, do not click on the link!
It is being reported by various security firms, and confirmed by Skype, that many Skype users are being spammed [...]
Read More »[Windows] Protect your privacy, erase junk files, and clean your registry with CCleaner
Protecting your privacy and keeping your hard disk cleaned at all times is an important task that should be done on a regular basis. One of the best, if not the best, freeware software program to get this done is the popular CCleaner.[...]
What is it and what does
Read More »Windows XP is the most exploited version of Windows while infections on Windows 7 are increasing, according to Microsoft
Wondering which version of Windows you should stick to be the safest? According to data released by Microsoft in its most recent Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, Windows XP remains at the top of the list when it comes to most infected Windows version while Windows 7 — particularly 64-bit [...]
Read More »[Windows] Listen to radio stations from all around world with V-Radio
Listening to online radio is one of a popular internet pass time — almost everyone and their pet 700-pound pig “Pinky” does it. V-Radio, the application in the spotlight today, is all about allowing users to enjoy radio happenings all over the world.[...]
What is it and what does
Read More »[Windows] Use VolumeOut to gradually automatically reduce computer volume over a specified time period
They say soothing music relaxes body and the mind and there is no better time for such a complete relaxation just before you sleep. Some people have a habit of listening to music, watching videos, or even listening to an audio book as they fall asleep. Eventually, however, what sounded [...]
[Windows] Easily access any program, file, or system command from a customized menu with ZenKEY
With every new version of its Windows operating system, Microsoft has tried to improve the speed at which users can access their files. However the fact that each user’s needs are unique means that it becomes difficult to take advantage of the currently available tools and features to improve their [...]
[Windows] Kingsoft Office Suite is a great free alternative to Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office continues to be the preferred choice for a majority of computer users looking for a dependable office suite though there have been a number of free programs that have emerged as credible alternatives to Microsoft. While OpenOffice.org is seen as Microsoft’s direct competitor in office suites, Kingsoft Office [...]
[Windows] Backup your files on multiple computers using Fast Back’em
Virus infection, data corruption, work progress or, simply saving your favorite movies. There are a number of reasons why you would like to create backups of your files. While there are a number of different backup tools available online, Fast Back’em is a pretty handy tool that allows users to [...]
[Windows] FiRE is an excellent, portable file renamer that allows bulk renaming of files
Organizing or reorganizing your computer can become a frustrating chore, especially if it involves renaming large number of files. While Windows does provide a batch renaming facility, it is basic at best, allowing you to specify a common name for the first file, after which the remaining files in the [...]
[Windows] Convert videos into dozens of different formats using Video to Video Converter (and it’s portable!)
Be sure to check out dotTech’s review on Best Free Video and Audio Converter for Windows!
Windows Media Player’s inability to support a large number of media formats means that people who use it to watch videos on their computers often have to skip watching some of the videos that [...]
Read More »[Windows] Measure your Windows boot speed with BootRacer
As computers get faster, so does the expectation of faster boot speed. Keeping tabs on how long it takes your PC or laptop to boot up may provide a good indication whether the computer has been optimized to work at its full capacity. Long boot up time may indicate the [...]
New malware (ransomware) locks your computer claiming you violated the law under SOPA, asks for $200 if you want your files back
Ransomware is a type of malware that locks your computers, encrypts your files, etc. to prevent you from accessing your data and asks for money if you want to regain access. In other words, your data is held ransom, hence the name ransomware.
A new ransomware is floating around the [...]
Read More »[Windows] Use a USB flash drive as login authenticator for your computer with Rohos Logon Key
Increasing reliance on computers in different walks of life means that computer security has emerged a major factor not only in research and businesses, but also among individual users. While there are in-built protection measures that allow users to lock their computers using long and complex passwords, it becomes rather [...]
[Windows] Color Archiver helps you find and save colors in HTML, hex, and more
Color Archiver is an application that acts as your color diary. Web developers and graphic artists will definitely find Color Archiver quite useful for what it is able to bring forward on the table.
What is it and what does it do
Main Functionality
Picking, saving, and searching for colors [...]
Read More »[Windows] Multi Commander is feature-filled, multi-tabbed file manager — an alternative to Windows Explorer
Multi Commander is a file manager that is an alternative to the standard, default Windows Explorer. With this program users can potentially get work done faster by using advanced features compared to using Windows Explorer.
What is it and what does it do
Main Functionality
Windows Explorer is good; one [...]
Read More »Microsoft Surface tablets will be around $350, according to Dummies.com
The release of Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface tablets is almost here yet the speculation about Surface tablet pricing is still alive and kicking. We have had multiple people chip in over the months about Surface pricing, from a $199 rumor to Microsoft CEO hinting at iPad-like pricing. Today we [...]
Read More »[Windows] SearchMyFiles is an excellent desktop search program
Microsoft has had to deal with a negative response from both critics and users regarding the built-in search function for Windows 7. There have been numerous complaints about the efficiency of the feature with users saying that Windows Search is not able to find files which they know exist on [...]
FTC takes aim at fake tech support from India, shuts down more scareware operations
Yesterday we learned Innovative Marketing, a firm that developed scareware programs, has to pay a fine of $163 million. In the comments of the article, Rob mentioned another scareware scam — “tech support” calling up people, telling them there are issues with their computers, and charging them for the privilege [...]
Read More »Court orders developer of scareware programs to pay $163 million
In this day and age, most semi-tech savvy computer users know what scareware is. For those that don’t, scareware is not malware, per se, but it is software that make you think like you have a problem on your computer (when you actually don’t) and charge you a large sum [...]
Read More »[Windows] Paint.NET is a free, feature-filled image editor
When it comes down to cutting, cropping, or editing one of your favorite images, the default Windows Paint software isn’t enough to get these basic tasks done. This is where Paint.NET comes in, a software that saves you from installing large programs like GIMP or buying Photoshop.
What is it [...]
Read More »[Windows] Sumatra PDF is a lightweight, easy-to-use PDF reader
Sometimes less can be considered as more; such is the case with Sumatra PDF reader. It doesn’t have all the extra features found in Adobe Reader to slow it down, and that is the reason why Sumatra hits the right spot as many users who have PDF readers only use [...]
Android apps will seamlessly run on Windows 8, thanks to a partnership between AMD and Bluestacks
Windows Store may only have a few thousand apps when Windows 8 is launched but Windows 8 tablets and PCs running on AMD processors will have access to hundreds of thousands of more apps. Hundreds of thousands of Android apps and games, to be more specific.
AMD has teamed up [...]
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